So the tax cuts, wars, and record spending all started when the Democrats took control of Congress over Bush's veto power? Come on Tom, the reason Democrats don't get the blame is that the Republicans did all that before the Democrats took over. You don't expect Democrats to show fiscal restraint when "the party of fiscal restraint" has shown none in 6 years of power. The main reason I have voted for Republicans about half the time is strong defense and fiscal restraint. They have totally lost credibility with me on the latter and their whining about deficiits now means nothing because they have lost all credibility that they would do something about it. The only way something will get done is like it was last time - a divided government restraining each party's excesses. Or miracle of miracles - the middle unites and forms a new rational party that is for fiscal restraint, a strong defense, social responsibility and tolerance, environmental stewardship, promoting science, and a government held accountable for wasteful spending and doing its job effectively with regard to emergency response/planning and regulatory diligence.

Regards,
Mark